$344.3 million was spent to lobby* state government in California during the two-year legislative session beginning January 1, 1999 and ending December 31, 2000.*

The $344.3 million spent to lobby state government during 1999-2000 sets a new record for total lobbying expenditures and continues a consistent trend of ever-increasing costs.

Total lobbying expenditures for the six most recent legislative sessions were:

1989-90

$193,575,480

1991-92

$233,872,097

1993-94

$250,119,667

1995-96

$266,939,559

1997-98

$292,615,513

1999-2000

$344,318,650

Among all lobbyist employers, the California Teachers Association spent the most on lobbying activities from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2000. The total two-year lobbying expenditures for the California Teachers Association were $5,742,924.

During the fourth quarter of 2000, the California Chamber of Commerce spent the most on lobbying activities--$966,133.

Among lobbying firms, Kahl/Pownall Advocates received the most payments during the two-year period of January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2000, totaling over $8.5 million, as well as receiving the most payments during the fourth quarter of 2000, totaling $1,133,334.

The following report summarizes total payments made by 2,176 lobbyist employers, including payments made to in-house lobbyists and to contract lobbyists. In addition to salaries and fees, the payments include overhead expenses and gifts. Total payments to the top 100 lobbying firms also are included.

* Lobbying expenditures identified in this report include expenditures for the purpose of attempting to influence state administrative actions in addition to expenditures to influence the State Legislature. The most significant expenditures involving administrative actions are payments by utilities (e.g., Pacific Telesis Group & its subsidiaries) in connection with proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission and payments by insurance companies (e.g., State Farm Insurance Companies) in connection with proceedings before the Department of Insurance.

In addition, lobbying expenditures include dues paid by certain government agencies to organizations that engage in specified lobbying activities. These dues are paid primarily by local governments to associations (e.g., California State Association of Counties; League of California Cities). Dues which must be disclosed as lobbying expenditures also are paid by some school districts and utilities. Consequently, the interest group categories identified in this report which include dues payments are: government, education and utilities.